CONGRESSMAN BISHOP SUPPORTS BILLS TO IMPROVE CARE AND BENEFITS FOR VETERANS

December 1, 2022
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) supported the approval of several bipartisan bills to improve the resources, benefits, and care for America's military veterans. He also was one of the leading members introducing the G.I. Bill Transferability Improvement Act.
"I am constantly hearing from veterans and veteran-serving organizations about their challenges and evolving needs as America's military has grown," said Congressman Bishop. "I am proud to have supported these bills which will not only help make sure that veterans are aware of the benefits available to them, but also improve and expand these resources so that they better meet our veterans' needs."
The G.I. Bill Transferability Improvement Act would expand the accessibility of education benefits for servicemembers who have dedicated at least 12 years of honorable service to the nation. Currently, servicemembers who want to transfer their G.I. Bill education benefits to their loved ones after completing six years of service can only do so if they serve an additional four years of service at the time that they apply to transfer their benefits, regardless of how many years they have served. Congressman Bishop joined Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Tim Ryan (OH-13), and Andy Kim (NJ-03) in introducing the bill.
"Not only should Congress do its best to ensure our military retains the best people, we should also ensure we honor their service through the educational benefits they earn for themselves and their families," said Congressman Bishop. "This bill will eliminate the additional service obligation servicemembers incur, should they wish to transfer their educational benefits after 12 years of service. I am supporting this bill so that our servicemembers who delay starting their families–especially women–can equitably enjoy the benefits they worked hard to earn in defense of our country."
The veterans bills approved by the U.S. House this week included:
  • H.R. 4601, the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act — this bill would authorize $50 million annually for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) to provide states with federal grants that can be used to improve outreach activities with respect to veteran benefits and programs. As amended, Native American tribes also would be eligible for such grants.
  • H.R. 7158, the Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act — this bill would expand VA long-term care coverage to include medical foster home care. It also would allow the VA to pay for medical foster home care with respect to such veterans who were placed in such homes before the bill's enactment, if the home meets VA standards. These settings are often preferred for younger veterans with disabilities who are unable to live independently but may not wish to live in a traditional nursing home.
  • H.R. 4772, the Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act — this bill improves the renewal process for the VA's clothing allowance for veterans whose clothes are routinely damaged or worn out by a prosthetic or orthopedic device or prescribed skin medication that is required as a result of service-connected injuries or conditions.
  • H.R. 2521, the Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Act — this bill expands the VA's maternity care services to include doulas, trained professionals that provide physical and emotional support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate postpartum period.
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Issues:Veterans